Part 136 (1/2)

”Maggie?” He turned in surprise, but for a moment, just

a brief, split second, his eyes seemed pleased. Then it was

IIgone, and she wondered if it had only been her imagination.

”How're you guys doing?” asked Maggie, hoping to

sound cheerful.

”We're doing fine,” said Leah casually. ”How's it going

with you?”

”Busy,” she answered quickly as she walked through the

Idoor now held open by Jed. Their arms brushed and she felt

certain, even through the thickness of her leather coat, that

she had experienced tingles. She wondered if he possibly felt

them as well. ”Everything going okay Out at Jed's?” she

asked Leah, unwilling to look into his eyes.

”Yeah. It's so beautiful out there. Jed and Michael are *

leaving for the furniture show in Seattle tomorrow, so he

offered to take me out for dinner tonight to thank me for

holding the shop together while he's gone.” She smiled up at

him in undisguised admiration.

Looking for You All My Life213

”Oh, that's right,” remembered Maggie. ”Michael men-

tioned that last night.” With fresh resolve, she turned and

forced herself to look directly into Jed's eyes. ”I really hope

you have a successful trip, Jed.”

”Thanks, I appreciate it.” The corners of his mouth

curved ~ver so slightly. ”Are you here by yourself?” he asked

with what seemed concern.